FORMER Toon midfielder Joey Barton has picked up his Chronicle Player of the Year award from chief sports writer Lee Ryder.

Back at the end of May, we asked you who had been the best-performing United player in the 2010-2011 season, and the Scouser was your overwhelming choice.

Half of those who registered a vote opted for Barton as the Magpies’s top performer as the 29-year-old put past troubles behind him to emerge as a more mature and influential force in United’s midfield.

Four goals and nine assists from 32 appearances had many tipping Barton for an England call-up, but he had to be content with cementing United's place in the Premier League after the anni horribiles of the relegation and Championship seasons.

Barton accepted the award after Monday night’s draw between the Magpies and the midfielder’s new club, QPR.

The award was kindly donated by Planet Trophies of Killingworth, who also provide the trophies for our Player of the Month award.

Barton had stiff competition for the gong with fellow contenders Kevin Nolan, Cheick Tiote, Fabricio Coloccini and Jose Enrique all enjoying a good showing in the voting.

To recap the other awards, Ivory Coast star Tiote picked up your choice of goal of the season.

We asked you to select from: Barton’s at home to Aston Villa, Hatem Ben Arfa’s at Everton, Carroll’s against Liverpool at St James’, Nolan’s second in the drubbing of Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland and his goal at the Stadium of Light, and Tiote’s in the incredible 4-4 draw with Arsenal. And with 72% of the votes, the latter romped it.

Also, that mesmerising day – Sunday, October 31 – when the Black Cats were skinned, won a massive 77% of your votes for best home performance of the season.

And on the road, United’s 1-0 November win at Arsenal was your selection for best away display.

However, during a season which saw Chris Hughton sacked and Newcastle booted out of the FA Cup by League Two Stevenage, fans were most put out by the controversial sale of Carroll to Liverpool. Hughton’s exit attracted 28% of your votes, but Carroll’s departure drew 42%.

We'll run a similar poll at the end of this season, and we hope you'll all take part again then.